Cross Walker

Let's make crossing intersections safe and easy for everyone.
Timeline

September - December 2019
(3 months)
‍

Role

User Research
Prototyping
User Flows
Concept Video
‍

Teammates

Genevieve Johnson
Andrew Ma
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Tools

Figma
Illustrator
After Effects
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The Insight

Crossing timed streetlights is a dangerous venture for people with walking disabilities.

View Prototype

The Idea

Use sidewalk sensors in tandem with a phone app to tell the light to last longer.

In order to give more crossing time to the people who need it.

Starting the Project

Research

Ideation

Wireframes
(UX Design)

Final Design (UI)

Reflections

Starting the Project...

Our team was challenged to find a location nearby Santa Monica and solve a transportation issue. We decided to focus on Abbot Kinney Boulevard.

Research

On-Site Observations and Interviews

The modern Abbot Kinney Boulevard is hip, artsy, and welcoming, but the roads haven't followed suit at all.

A woman had to literally get out of her wheelchair and with help, walk across the street to make it in time.

Dave talked about his dislike for the cracked and cramped sidewalks in this area.

For the whole strip, there were only a couple cross walks. Most people crossed when they could.

The curbs usually lacked lips to roll onto.

Ideation

We experimented with a couple different prototypes before narrowing it down to the latest concept.

Idea #1: Smart Bracelet

A wearable that could be used instead of the streetlight button.
Insights
  • Unclear how you'd choose which direction you wanted to cross
  • People didn't want to wear a bracelet
  • Still not easily accessible to everyone

Idea #2: Smart Bollards

Bollards along the sides of the street would rise along the pedestrians as they crossed the street.
Insights
  • Regular pedestrians liked the idea a lot because they felt very protected.
  • Regular drivers found it very dangerous, especially if they malfunctioned.
  • It would be very expensive and difficult for the city to implement.

Final Idea: Sidewalk Sensors

Sensors pick up when a user requires more time on the crosswalk light.

Insights

  • Safety: Many people with disabilities find they have to wait at the curb, nearly into the street, to prepare to cross in time. So they were glad to have that extra time.
  • Inclusivity: Keep things simple, customizable, and with different options and modes.
  • Discreteness: Don't call attention to its use. Don't use iconography that exclaims its purpose.

Wireframes

Opening Page
Onboarding

Users would be required to get a code from their doctor (or other authority) in order to start using the app.

Medical Device List

This info helps the app anticipate how much time to add.

Edit Account

The app notices a sensor nearby

Edit Account

The extra time is added to the light. The time and direction is shown on the app.

Final Design (UI)

View Prototype

Reflections

This project helped me come to terms with the inherent uncertainty of those early stages of design.

Thankfully, my group moved quickly and kept an open mind, allowing us to prototype many wildly different solutions before getting to the final concept.

Also, information gained from interviewing  target users is invaluable. You miss so much that's only obvious after others point it out.

Despite things being precarious early on, solid research gave us a concept I felt confident in.

Action Board

In a partnership with IDEO and Beyond 12, our team developed an app to help students drive change on their campus.

VIEW CASE STUDY

View Case Study